Africa-Press – Zambia. The Free Press Initiative – FPI has expressed displeasure over the news of ruling United Party for National Development – UPND cadres storming two radio stations on the Copperbelt Province in the last few days.
On 31st December, 2022, the UPND cadres stormed Kokoliko FM in Chingola and stopped a paid for radio programme which featured opposition political party Leader for the Economic and Equity Party – EEP Mr Chilufya Tayali. And the next day on 1st January, 2023, another group of UPND cadres stormed Mafken radio in Mufulira where they threatened to burn the radio station if they proceeded to host Mr Tayali.
FPI Founder and Executive Director Joan Chirwa stated that this behavior is totally outrageous and inimical to principles of democracy which demand total respect for media freedom, adding that what is even more annoying is the fact that such barbaric behavior has continued to surface even after several assurances by President Hakainde Hichilema that his Party and Government will not tolerate the storming of radio stations by cadres because they “value” media freedom.
“We expect these words to match the actions!” she stated
Ms Chirwa noted that Politicians must understand that the media exists to ensure all democratic principles are followed in a democratic country by providing a platform where everyone who wishes to express themselves on national issues can do so without hindrance or fear. However, the behavior of political cadres has over the years made this almost impossible.
“Now that the UPND National Youth Chairperson Mr Gilbert Liswaniso has apologized to the media for that silly behavior of their cadres, we expect the party to go beyond an apology by ensuring that all those behind the Copperbelt acts are brought to account. Further, the UPND must sensitize its membership in districts across the country on the importance of press freedom which they themselves benefited from, albeit under difficult circumstances,” she said
She further noted that the UPND must send a strong and clear message to its membership that harassment of journalists will not be tolerated, otherwise, President Hichilema’s pronouncement that no cadre of theirs will harass journalists or radio stations will be taken as a mere joke. Ms Chirwa added that issuing statements is one thing and the party taking action against perpetrators of these media freedom violations is another.
“We have witnessed this kind of behavior for many years. MMD did it; the PF did it, and sadly, the UPND that promised a near perfect environment for the media is doing the same horrible thing. It’s only a few months ago when their cadres beat up a journalist at PASME radio in Petauke for simply hosting a show that discussed the late delivery of farming inputs,” she said
Ms Chirwa hopes that, this is the last of such uncalled for behaviour from the UPND cadres, action must also be taken against individuals involved to serve as an example to other party members who may want to perpetrate the harassment of journalists under the banner of being the party in government.
Meanwhile, UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso has strongly warned party youths that have recently exhibited excitement and a level of indiscipline aimed at despising President Hakainde Hichilema.
And Mr Liswaniso has distanced the party from recent actions by party youths in Mufulira and Chingola districts on the Copperbelt who stopped Economic and Equity Party leader Chilufya Tayali from appearing on two radio programmes.
Mr Liswaniso who has apologized to the media for the harassment suffered during the two incidents has also reminded the party youths that the opposition are a stakeholder who should be allowed to express themselves in any form.
Mr Liswaniso has since warned that he will soon avail to the Ministry of Home Affairs a list of police officers who he says are mocking party youths for their continued suffering despite belonging to the ruling party.
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